PROSPECTS

OF

AQUACULTURE

IN

NEPAL

BY

K.T.AUGUSTHY

MUCDA/IAAS

Occasional paper # I

Seminar given on

PROSPECTS

OF AQUACULTURE

IN NEPAL

by

K.T. Augusthy

Lecturer, Fisheries and Zoology

at the Institute of Agriculture

and Animal Scienca (IAAS) of the

Tribhuvan University of Nepal on

February 19, 1982.

Foreword

This is the first of what we shall term occasional papers. The subjects

to be covered are as wide as the interests of our faculty. They will include

seminars given by our own or by visiting colleagues. This publication outlet

is not intended as a research diffusion channel although tne seminars or dis­

cussion pieces might well be based on research findings. It is hoped that

this series of publications will encourage the careful recording of thoughtful

discussions at IAAS. Through this series of tapers we may give longer viabi­

lity to our shared deliberations.

Dr. Garland Wood

MUCIA Chief of Party

* PROSPECTS OF AQUACULTURE IN NEPAL

Introduction

"Aquaculture" means the organized culture or cultivation of useful aquatic

animals and plants in ecnlosed water bodies. In Nepal, at present aquaculture

is limited only to the cultivation of fish.

The first part of this paper deals with what has been done in Nepal for

fish culture and fisheries development, and the second part deals with what

can be done in Nepal for further research.and development of fisheries. How­

ever, some useful hints about the cultivation of some aquatic cash crops have

also been given in tnis paper. Some of the important aquatic and semiaquatic

animals of Nepal also are mentioried.

PART - I: WHAT HAS BEEN DONE IN NEPAL ?

1. History of Fish Farming in Nepal

Fish catching is an ancient occupation in Nepal. Pode, Majhi, Danuwar,

Derai and Damar are some important traditional fishermen of Nepal. In 1947,

the Agriculture Council of Nepal created a small unit to investigate the

possibilities of fish culture in Nepal. It was traditional that Indian

major carp fingerlings were brought from India to be cultivated in Nepal,

but their cultivation was successful only in the Terai. These fish could

not survive in the hills. Kathmandu proved to be too cold for thim.

* Seminar given at IAAS Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal on February 19, 1982. The Seminar paper has Leen slightly modified.

2

So, exotic fish such as the Chinese carps and common carp were

In 1956, the fisheries section was created to administer thetried.

During 1956-66, six government fishfisheries development program.

farms were constructed in the country.

2. Justification for producing more fish in Nepal

The averageThere is a high consumer demand for fish in Nepal.

annual consumption of animal protein was only 4.5 kg. per person in

1974-75 and only 0.2 kg. of that came from fish (Silpachai 18, 1980).

Other sources of animal protein such as goat meat fetch high prices.

The price of goat meat Las doubled in the past five years. So, tish

will have an increasing demand in repal. The price of fish also has risen

from Rs. 10 to Rs. 24 in Chitwan and from Rs. 10 to 30 in other parts

of Nepal including Kathmandu. Nepal has sufficient agricultural products

to feed fish. Also,. different farming systems can be linked to fish

production.

3. Water bodies of Nepal

The total area of Nepal is 141,06000 ha. The total water surface

area of Nepal is 400,000 ha. (Majupuria12 , 1981-82). The irrigated

paddy fields have an area of 117,490 ha. In the Terai, the village ponds

have a total area of 5000 ha. (Silpachai18 , 1980). The main rivers of

Nepal are the Koshi river in the east, the andaki river in inner Nepal

and ttt Karnali river in the west.

The most famous lakes of Nepal are: Fewa Lake, Rupa Lake and

Begnas Lake (Pokhara), Gaduva Lake, Tamorghila Lake and Kasara Lake

4

3

(Chitwan), Styavati Lake (Palpa), Khatpad Lake (Doti), Nandan Lake (Palpa),

Stharpu Lake (Jajarkot), Sumra Sarovar (Bajang), Taudaha Lake (South Chobar)

and Mahendra Lake (Jumla) (K.T. Augusthy2 , 1979). The UNDP's Integrated

Fishery and Fish Culture Development Project Pokhara was started in 1975

in Fewa Lake. Common carp fingerlings were released into the lake and

grass carp and silver carp were used in cage culture in the lake (Silpa­

chal 18 , 1980). The ecology and fish fauna of Taudaha lake has been studied

in detail (aajkarnikar, Tulsi Man15 , 1981).

Fish Farms of Nepal

The important government fish farms of Nepal, their location and

altitude are as shown in figure 1. As evident from the chart given

under fig. 1, the altitude of fish farms varies from 76 meters to 1700

meteres from the Mean Seal Level.

S.No. Name of Fish Farm Altitude above M.S.L. in m.

1. DHANGADHI

2. BHAIRAHAWA 140

3. POKHARA 854

4. BHANDARA 198

5. HETAUDA 303

6. PARWANIPUR 100

7. TRISULI 530

8. BALAJU 1288

9. GODAWARI 1700

10. JANAKPUR 90

11. FATHEPUR 90

12. BIRATNAGAR '76

14

Fig: I.

-MAP SHOWING THE GOVERNMENT

FISH FARMS OF NEPAL

fe %

S.NO

I

NAME OF FISH

DHANGADHI

FARMS ALTITUDE ABOVE M.S. in m.

2 SMAIRHAWA 140

3 POKHARA 854

4 SHANDARA 198

5 HETAUDA 303

6 PARWANIPUR 100

7 TRISULI 530

s

9

BALAJU

GODAWARI

1218

1700

10

II

12

JAIAKPUR

FATEHPUR

BIRATNAGAR

90

90

76

5

of the hilly rivers of Nepal, such as the mysterious Seti River of Pokhara

valley, are only partially known. The fish fauna of hilly rivers above 16,60

meters are not yet studied due to the rugged geography that prevents access

to these torrential streams which often meander in hidden paths,

The Cultivated F.ish

a) Indigenous fish

The Indian Major Carps

The Indian major carps are the indigenous fish cultivated in the

Nepalese Terai. Ther are:

Catla - Catla catla - surface feeder (feeds mainly on plankton and decayed

plants on the surface).

Rohu - Labeo rohita - column feeder, feeds on algal forms and decayed

vegetation.

Mrigal - Cirrhina - bottom feeder, feeds on semirooted vegetable matter mrigala

and detritus.

The Indian major carps do not breed in confined waters. They can be

propagated only by induced breeding. The se fis do not grow well in

the hilly regions if Nepal due to the Low temperatures.

Alsa

Fish generally known as Asia are indigenous fish of Nepal. There are

two types of Asla, via; 'cuchee' and 'buchee' ('cuchee' = pointed mouth,

'buchee' = flat mouth) 'cuchee' are found in Trisuli. Its scientific name

6

is Orienus richardsoni. 'Bucheel are seen in Kaligandaki at Jomsom

situated at 2800m. above sea level. Its scientific name is Schizothorax

glagistomus (K. Masuda13 , 1979).

b) Exotic Fish

The exotic fish generally cultivated in Nepal are the Chinese carps.

They are:

Grass carp (Ctenopharyngodon idulla)

Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix)

Bighead carp (Aristichthys nobilis)

Common carp (Cyprinus carpio)

These fish are having non-competitive feeding habits and so can be

cultured together (polyculture) to get more yield from the same pond

than that of a single species of fish (monoculture).

c) Feeding habits

Gras carp - eats macrovegetation.

Silver carp - microscopic algae

Bighead carp - zooplankton

Common carp - bottom feeder, but is omnivorous.

d) Breeding habits

Among the above mentioned fish, only common carp breeds in confined

water. In other varieties, fingerlings - production is by induced breeding.

7

Best breeding results can be expected from fish having a body

weight 4-5 kg. in females 2-3 kg in males. A good female carp may

produce 150,000 eggs per kg. The survival rate of the eggs is not more

than 20% (Woynarovich2 1 , 1975).

The spawning of the common carp under natural conditions occurs usually

in spring season when the water warms to around 18 - 20°C. The spawning

time of all other Chinese carps is related to water temperature. They

spawn in summer in flooded rivers of China. Experience of induced bree­

ding of these fish in Nepal shows that the ripening time of the females

depends on water temperature as shown below:

Water temperature Ripening time of females

0C hours

20 - 22 12 - 10

23 - 25 11 - 9

26 - 28 10 - 7

Source: Fish Farming in Nepal by K.T. Augusthy, 1979.

6. Weight of Fish at the time of marketing

The growing period of fish in Nepal is 8 - 9 months. The reported

average weight of fish is only 0.8 to 1 kg. in the government farms. In

ponds owned by some farmers, fish grew to even 3.5 kg. in one year due to

better management (Kalidas Shrestha 17 , 1982).

8

7. Feed Industry

There is no organised fish food industry in Nepal. Certain Suggestions

regarding the development of commercial fish foods in Nepal are given under

item 13, Part II of this paper.

8. Fish Feed

The main agricultural and animal products used for feeding fish in

Nepal and their food values and food quotients are as given in the following

two charts.

Plant Products:

Food Dry Digestible Starch Crude Fibre Ash Food items matter protein % % Fat % % % quotient

%I

Maize 87 7.0 60.0 4.5 2.1 1.3 4 - 4.5

Wheat 87 9.0 65.0 1.0 1.9 - 4 - 4.5

Wheat bran 87 10.0 20.0 4.6 10. 1 - 4.5 - 7

Rice bran 90.5 6.0 37.8 2.7 33.1 10.7

ustard oil 89.8 24.6 41.7 1.1 7.1 15.3 cake -

Guinea grass - - 48 1 - - 7 - I_

9

Animal Products:

Food items Dry Crude Carbohy- Crude Ash IFood

matter protein drate fat % Iquotient

87 61 1.5 3.5 21Fish meal

86 81 1.5 0.8 2.7Blood neal

Silk worm pupae 35.4 19.1 2.3 12.8 1.2 1.8 -(fresh)

Silk worm pupae 90 55.9 6.6 24.5 1.9

(dried)

River snail (fresh) 21.6 12.2 4.3 1.4 3.7

- 0.8 1.2Fresh water mussels 20.4 18.4

4.4 1.4Aquatic worms (fresh) 18.9 8.6 I I 13.6 7.1Chironomids (fresh) 16.1

Locusts (fresh) 34.1 25.5 1.4 2.0 2.2

Source: Woynarovich, Elek. 1975. Elementary guide to fi3h culture in Nepal,

pp. 59-60.

It is clear from these two charts that the food quotient (the quantity

in kg. of food required to produce 1 kg. of fish) of the different items of

food varies highly. For example, I kg. fish can be produced by feeding

1.8 kg. Silk worm pupae whereas 48 kg. Guinea grass has to be fed to

The food quotients of two common agriculturalproduce one kg. of fish.

products, viz; mustard oil cake and rice bran have yet to be determined

through research studies.

10

9. Amphibian Fauna

Many biogeographic races of amphibians are found in Nepal (Shrestha

Tej Kumar 6, 1982). The most important of these from a commercial point

of view are:

Bull Frog - Rana tigrina

Green Frog - Rana hexadactyla and

Hyla or Rhacophorus.

The possibilities of setting up an industry to process and export

the legs of Rana tigrina and Rana hexadactyla have been spotlighted by

K.T. Augusthy in 1979 in his book Fish Farming in Nepal. These two species

are found in the lowland and midland zones of Nepal respectively. Eyla

is distributed in the Mahabharat Lekh. A single species of Hyla fetches

Rs. 22/- in Bhimphedi and Hetauda Bazar (Shrestha, Tej Kumar16 , 1982).

The toads of Nepal may be used to make fancy articles after tanning

their skin. The amphidian fauna of Nepal range from 80m. to 5000m. They

include coecilians, salamanders and common frogs off- rng excellent oppor­

tunities for researchers in biological and medical sciences (Majupuria12 ,

1981-82).

10. Aquatic Reptiles (Crocodiles and Tortoises)

Two species of crocodiles are found in Nepal. They are (1)The

marsh muggar (Crocodylus palustris) and the Gharial (Gavialisgangeticus).

Both of these are fully protected in Nepal by the Wildlife Conservation

Act. (T.M. Maskey and H.R. Mishra14 1980).

11

Gharial is a fish eating crocodile. Their estimated population in

Nepal is 159 (Behura and Singh 7, 1978). Maskey and Yadav in 1980 reported

that therewere 53 Gharials in Narayani out of which 7 are males. There

is a rearing site for Gharial at Kasara lake in Chitwan.

Land tortoises (Kachuga) distributed in central Nepal can be considered

to be at least partially aquatic.

11. Aquatic mamals

The Gangetic dolphin, PlataniSta gangetica is one of the rare species

of fresh water dolphins found in the Narayani river that flows through the

Chitwan valley of Nepal. Dolphins are also believed to be present in

Karnali and Koshi rivers of Nepal (D.R. Uprety and T.C. Majupuria19 ,

1981-82).

PART - II

FUTURE PROSPECTS OF RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT

The following are some of the important fielda for future research and

development of aquaculture in Nepal.

1. The need for establishing a fish pituitary bank

The pituitary gland located in the ventral side of the brain is

taken and ad-ministered to the dorsal muscles of brood fish by injection

for the induced breeding of fish. The pituitary gland contains reproduc­

tive hormones. The pituitary glands collected from carps with 1.-2 kg.

body we ght has a dry weight of 2 mg. per kg. of body weight.

Even though well maintained, and sexually mature brood fish are

present on farms, the production of fingerlings on fish farms of Nepal

sometimes becomes inconvenient due .o the lack of well preserved pituitary

glands. This will affect all the fish culture operations of the govern­

ment farms and that of the private farms that depend on the government

farms for the supply of fingerlings. The more the delay in producing

fingerlings, the more is the delay in stocking fingerlings in production

ponds and hence the number of days available for fish to grow in a year

is cut down.

This problem can be solved by establishing a pituitary bank at the

Central Office of the Fisheries Section, Kathmandu. Arrangements can be

made to preserve and supply pituitary glands from a.l the government and

private farms to Kathmandu. This does not involve a high cost because

the pituitary gland can be taken by dissecting the skull of the fish Just

before marketing the table fish harvested from production ponds.

13

This does not affect consumer demand in any way if the public are

told why the skulls of the fish they purchase are opened a little bit.

The pituitary glands can be dried and (defattened in acetone and

kept in sterile phials stored at 50 F. So, the most important arrange­

ment needed for a pituitary bank is mechanisms for maintaining a tempera­

ture of 500F.

2. Depth Vs Area

The depth of fish ponds in government farms is only 2 - 3 feet.

Actually, light can panetrate up to 7 feet deep in water and hence fish

food (microscopic algae and fish food organisms) can be produced all

through the 7 foot water column. So, by increasing the depth of ponds,

more fish can be produced in the same area of land. Some research in this

line will prove valuable to support future development of fisheries in

Nepal.

3. Impact of altitude and temperature on fish production and fish breeding

a) Fish production:

Nepal's climate, altitude and geography are extremely diverse. The

altitude ranges from 100 feet in the Terai (South) to 29,028 in the

North at.Saarmatha, (Mount Everest). The average temperature falls

one degree every 3000 feet in altitude. This great diversity of climate

can be attributed to the unusual difference in altitudes within a

relatively short physical span. The number of cold days in a year

14

is more in places of high altitude than at lower altitude. Fish

eat less at low temperatures and more at high temperatures. As

fish growth depends on the quantity of food consumed, the imapct of

temperature variations on fish growth is significant. This can be

studied at different geographic locations of Nepal. The growth of

fish is much less during winter months and hence keeping fish in

ponds in winter results in loss in many ways. So, a growth study

based on altitude (and hence temperature variations) can be helpful

in determining the harvesting date of fish in each locality. Based

on this information, the management of fish culture activities can

be modified.

b) Fish breeding:

The ripening time of females, spawning of fish and incubation of

eggs are related to water temperature and hence to altitude. There

is much scope of research in these areas on fingerling production.

4. Establishment of meterological stations in fish farms

The establishment of meterological stations (to collect data on

temperature, humidity, rain fall and atmospheric pressure) in every fish

farm will be of much help for conducting research in fish production and

fish breeding.

5. Protection of fingerlings from predators

Fingerlings stocked in production ponds are often eaten by predators

of many kinds like frogs, snakes, predatory fish and birds. Some farmers

lose 100% of their stocked fingerlings by these predators.

15

At present, an extra large number of fingerlings to allow for pre­

dators are stocked in the farm ponds - both government and private.

Research can be conducted on the protection of fingerlings from predators.

Fingerlings can be grown in nursery ponds well protected with nylon net to

prevent the entry of predators. After growing for a month or so, the

fingerlings can escape the attack of predators and can be released into

the production ponds. Preliminary experiments in these lines wejc conducted

at the Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science of the Tribhuvan

University of Nepal (Augusthy, K.T. 3 , 1981).

6. Investigation of the aquatic fauna of Nepal

a) Fish fauna:

The fish fauna of Nepal between an altitude of 1650 to 3323 meters

above mean seal level are practically untouched and so there remains

much scope for exploration of these fauna. After the investigation

of this fauna, the biology of some important species can be studied,

and based on these results, some of these fish can be considered for

culture in the cold water streams of the hills.

b) Other aquatic organisms:

Crabs, clams and snails of various kinds are present in Nepal. These

fauna can be investigated. Crabs are important ecological aerators

of soil and are not harmful for paddy seedlings (Yadav, U.K.22 , 1980).

Mollucs fix calcium in fish ponds and rice fields. Their body cal­

cium is available when their shells break down by sun heat after death

(Augusthy, K.T.4 , 1980/82).

16

7. Makhna - cum - Fish (Air-breathing fish) Culture

As the perennial and stagnant water bodies of N. Bihar, India and

that of the Terai regions of Nepal such as Janakpur are likely to be

&imilar in many respects, Makhna-cum-Fish Culture can be tried in Nepal

too along the same lines as in N. Bihar. Air-breathing fish naturally

occur in the Terai of Nepal. It is learned from reliable sources that

Makhana grows wild in the village ponds of Janakpur. Makhana-cum-Fis-i

Culture can be organized on scientifiL lines in Nepal too (Augusthy K.T.2 ,

1979).

In N. Bihar, air-breathing fish culture is done in ponds in which

Makhana, Euryale ferox Salisb (family Nymphaceae), an aquatic cash crop

is grown. Makhana are cultivated in Assam amd Madhya Pradesh. Dhrubanga

district of North Bihar grows 'Makhana' on a commercial scale. Iakhana

grows well in old perennial water bodies having a depth of 1 - 1.5m. with

muddy bottoms. Newly constructed ponds are not favourable for its growth.

Only air-breathing fish can be cultured in these water bodies. Hetero­

pneustes fossilis and Clarias batrachus are the preferred species of air­

breathing fish recommended for this purpose. A gross production of

Makhana worth Rs. 3000 Indian currency per acre per year can be obtained.

An additional crop of 1200 kg./ha./year of fish also can be obtained from

mixed cultivation in such ponds (P.V. Dehadrai9, 1976).

Makhana remains deeply rooted in the pond bottom by firbrous roots.

It has orbicircular leaves floating on the water surface (Cook, C.D.8

,

1974) as shown in Fig. 2.

Flower

''A

• . *FlOWel

FIG. 2 EURYALE FEROX SALISB (MAKHANA) (Longitudinal Section)

Source: Cook C. 0. 1974, Water Plants of the World P. 336

18

In Durhanga District, Bihar, the Makhapa seed is sown in October-November.

Fourty to fifty kg. of seeds are sown in one acre pond. The seeds sink to

be bottom and germinate. Sprouting occurs during February-March. Thinning

is carried out during this period and transplanting is done by keeping .a

distance of one meter between two plants. Flowering occurs at the end of

May. Fruits are formed in June. Mature fruits burst in September. The

fruits are spongy. Each fruit contains 20-25 seeds. The seeds sink to

the pond bottom. These seeds are collected by trained persons and processed

before marketing. Roasted seeds of Makhana are used in various kinds of

delicious milk preparations and also for making curry. It is alsu used for

medicinal purposes.

The food value of Makhana is as given below. Moisture - 12.8%, protein

- 9.7%, fat - 0.1%, mineral matter - 0.5%, carbohydrates 76.9%, calcium ­

0.02%, phosphorus 0.09%, iron - 1.4 mg/100 gm, carotene, trace. (The wealth

of India Raw Materials Vol. III D-E20 , 1952). During the second year of

cultivation, the remaining seeds will germinate and the only care to be

taken is transplanting the germinated seedlings to maintain a proper distance.

The fry of air-breathing fish can be introduced before the sprouting of these

seeds occurs. The fish can be harvested after harvesting the Makhana.

The culture of air-breathing fish is appropriate in the undrainabl(.

village ponds of Nepal where the lack of dissolved oxygen sets a limit for

culturing other fish. The air-breathing fish are commonly found in ponds in

rural areas and rural people are familiar with these. Therefore, perhaps

it may be easier to help them Improve the culture of these varieties in

19

selected localities. Once their culture is organized, it is easier to

make it an internal part of :ural aquaculture. Besides yielding fish

meat, these fish act as sanitary agents by controlling mosquitos and

hence malaria,

8. Other aquatic cash crops (plants)

Other aquatic cash crops like water chestnut can be tested for culti­

vation in suitable water bodies.

9. Azolla and its utilization in fish culture

Azolla can be tried in rice fields as a nitrozen fixing and weed

controlling agent. Grass carp can be incorporated with Azolla in rice

fields after determining whether grass carp will eat a sufficient quantity

of Azolla.

If grass carp are proved to be eating Azolla, then Azolla can be

incorporated in fish ponds but it should be kept under proper control (by

Grass carp and ducks) so that sunlight won't be blocked from penetrating

into the pond water.

10. Fish Culture in Rice Fields

Fish culture in rice fields even though popular, is not well organized

in Nepal due to many reasons. Fish culture in rice fields can be popularized

in the near future. Increasing irrigation facilities will give more

opportunity for this.

20

11. Possibility of Duck-cum-Fish culture in Bhairahawa and Janakpur

As there are natural sources of water and clayey soil to make ponds

in Janakpur and Bhairahawa, there is much chance for research and develop­

ment of duck-cum-fish culture in these areas on a commercial scale. Local

and exotic ducks (e.g. Pekin ducks) can be grown on fish farms and their

ecological adaptation and capacity of egg and meat production cin be

studied.

12. Recycling system in an integrated plant - animal farm

There has been a growing interest among technologists in the farming

systems that will provide better understanding of the new appraoch in

maximizing production of an integrated plant - animal farm as well as

optimizing ways of utilizing its waste products. Thus some of the basic

information on recycling system of an integrated plant and animal farm

is presented in Fig. 3.

Six components involved in the recycling system are:

1) Algae production

2) Livestock production

3) Biogas production

4) Crop production

5) Duck production

6) Fish production

These components complement each other reducing the operational cost

of food production under an integrated farming scheme (Jose A. Eusebio,

B.I. Rabino and E.C. Euseibo 0 , 1976) as shown in Fig. 3.

21

MANURE A SHNFUEL

FIG.3P RECYCLING SYSTEM IN

INTEGRATED PLANT ANIMAL FARMIN

22

13. Development of Commercial Fish food:

a) Frog wastes and their utilization as fish feed:

Nepal has good prospects for establishing a frog-leg industry. Edible

frogs are available in Nepal. The hind legs of frogs which are the'

only portion exported come only to 35% of the body weight. Until

recently the remaining 65% of the body weight was rejected. Experi­

ments have been conducted and a formula was developed for the pzepara­

tion of frog meal by the Central Institute of Fisheries Technology

Cochin, India. Frog meal is comparable to fish meal. It can be used

as a fish feed and poultry feed. Frog meal contains 60.6% protein

where as fish meal (taken as the average values of three fish via;

Caranx, Jeus Fish and Oil Sardine) contains 58.53% protein.

b) Survey and identification of the aquatic plants of Nepal:

The indigenous aquatic plants of Nepal can be surveyed and experimented

with as food for grass carp. The desirable plants can be introduced

into fish ponds or can be cultivated in the vicinity of fish farms.

c) Silk-worm cultivation can be organized in Nepal. After removing the

silk , the silk-worm pupae can be fed to fish. The pupae are the best

food for fish and have a conversion ratio of 1.8 (Hickling 0).

14. Possibility of a Fish-cum-Frog Industry

It seems that a multipurpose fish-cum-frog industry is possible in

Janakpur. This industry can be mainly concerned with the frog-leg export

to international markets (K.T. Augusthy2 , 1979).

23

With some modification, this frog-cum-fish industry may also be

utilized for preserving various kinds of meat products.

15. Fish Farming in the Hills

The people of the hilly area of Nepal get only a scanty supply of

fish due to the following reasons:

1) lack of transportation

2) lack of fish preservation and marketing facilities

3) lack of fish farming facilities (ponds)

4) lack of water lifting mechanisms

5) retardation of growth of certain fish species in the hills. (e.g.

Indian Major Carps).

Although the prospects of fish farming in the hills is limited,

more encouragement can be given by cultivating fast growing indigenous

fish of the hill streams. This needs thorough scientific investigation

of the ecology and biology of selected species of hill stream fish. Now

in Nepal Asla fish are being studied along these lines.

16. Application of Water Lifting Machines

A simple and locally made water lifting machine that can lift up

water to a height of 13 feet (without using other power) from a flowing

stream is shown in Fig. 4.

A water fall can rotate the turbine. The axil fixed to the turbine

rotates the drive wheel to which is attached a belt connected to the pully

of a centrifugal pump. The centrifugal pump pumps up water into the fish

pond located at a higher level than the water fall.

24

Water lfting Machine Fish pod­

(Without using power) Water

Ground level (NOT TO SAE

-I

Pipe

Water

Drive whel Water b - "

. b. _ -­' 0- Al444

._t____L__.-_... WATER ....

-FIG~fgH,­

25

This machine is being used by Narendra Patak, a progressive fish

farmer in Thadi (Ratnagar), Chitwan, Nepal (Augusthy K.T.5 , 1982).

Various modified forms of such machines are used in Nepal for lifting

up water for irrigation. Booklets on hydraulic rams are available at

Balaju Yantra Sala (Balaju Machinery House), Kathmandu, Nepal. Such

machines may be used in selected localities on the hills for lifting up

water for fish pond or rice field.

17. Need for co-ordination of HMG and University experts through seminars

and workshops

Tribhuvan University has a few eminent ichthyologists and fish biolo­

gists like Dr. Jiwan Shrestha, Prof. T.C. Majupuria, and Dr. Tej Kumar

Shrestha. Their co-ordination into the fish culture activities of Nepal

launched by Fisheries Section, HMG can result in better suggestions for

research and development of fisheries. Exchange of ideas and literature

between these two factions is important.

18. Survey, Collection and Identification of the Indigenous Wild Poisonous

Plants used for killing fish in Nepal

The traditional fishermen of Nepal, like the Derai and the Tharu

use a number of wild plants for killing fish in water bodies. The fish

so killed are edible. These plants can be utilized to eradicate the

predatory fish (wild fish) from production ponds in a fish farm before

stocking the fingerlings of commercially grown fish varieties. These

26

predatory fish have air-breathing organs and are able to survive in mud

even when there is less water. They are also known by the name 'mud-fish'.

These fish feed on fingerlings of cultivated fish on a large scale.

In Nepal, commercially available fish poisons such as pro-Nox-Fish

have been recommended for killing predatory fish in production ponds.

These poisons are very costly and have to be imported to Nepal. If the

traditionally used plants are identified, these manufactured poisons can

be substituted by these indigenous wild plants to kill the wild fish.

These plants can be surveyed, identified and tested to kill wild fish

and later on, caln be extended and recommended to the fish farmers to

promote commercial fish production in farm ponds all over Nepal.

19. Importance of the incorporation of the traditional fishermen of Nepal

into organized fish culture programs

Mention has been made of the traditional fishermen of Nepal in the

first part of this paper. They always live in colonies adjoining the

natural water bodies. It seems that these traditional fishermen and fish

are made for each other. These fishermen do not hesitate to go into the

water or pond mud because it is their way of life. Moreover, their inborn

skill in catching and handling fish is commendable. They can be trained

to become low level technicians or skilled laborers at fish farms. Then

they are likely to offer the appropriate service at fish farms.

27

Dr. Sha Wen Ling, popularly known by the namc "Father of US Fish

Farming" says: "Villagers are conservative, but in a positive sense.

They cannot take on a new breed of fish, simply because someone tells them

that it is better than their past one. The authority of the expert is.

nothing compared to the authority of ages. They must be shown, then they

learn fast, maybe faster than any other group of human being" (FAO

Booklet , 1971). This must be true with the traditional fishermen of

Nepal also. No doubt, they are the authority of ages.

20. A detailed study of the crafts and gears used by the traditional

fishermen of Nepal

A detailed study of the crafts and gears used by the traditional

fishermen of Nepal can bring into light some important technologies for

catching and handling fish. These technologies, being age old, have been

tested and evolved through trial and error methods and hence must be

considered as the appropriate technologies. Had these not been appro­

priate, their survival would have been impossible.

It is not unusual that catching fish from farm ponds is delayed due

to the lack of suitable crafts and gears. Trapping fish and keeping them

under captivity is necessary during breeding operations in farms. Proper

handling of brood fish in farms is necessary. Fish also need to be

caught, kept under captivity and haudled properly during research experi­

ments. No doubt, all these fish culture operations can be done in a

better way with appropriate crafts and gears. Use of imported crafts

and gears may not be very appopriate technologically and economically

La comparison to those used by the traditional fishermen. Moreover, the

traditional fihsermen use local materials for making these crafts and

gears. Some of these technologies can be accepted by fish farms to

facilitate easier fish culture operations. Trained traditional fishermen

will be the best technicians for handling these technologies.

Conclusions and Summary

Aquaculture in Nepal is now limited to fish production. The progess that

fisheries development has achieved from 1947 through 1982 has been commendable,

especially when considering the extremely rough topography of Nepal that offers

a great challenge to the production and distribution of fingerlings and table

fish. Despite all these efforts, the annual consumption of fish in Nepal is

only 0.2 kg. per person. Much remains to be done to increase the consumption

of fish.

The second part of this paper has highlighted many suggestions towards

increasing fish production in Nepal by the better management of whatever faci­

lities already exist. These suggestions focus on many new avenues for research

and development.

As Nepal is blessed with different biogeographic aquatic natural labora­

tories in the form of an array of water bodies, there are many opportunities

for research in fishery science. Nepal is a 'and having extreme biogeographic

diversities within a relatively short physical span. Altitude based studies

on the hiology of fish and other aquatic animals like dolphins and semiaquatic

animals like amphibians can be of much interest not only to fishery science

29

but also to other branches of biological sciences. More or less in the same

way as livestock and farming systems are moulded by the climate or "Havapani"

so is fishery. Establishment of meterological stations at government fish

farms will be of much help to study the impact of climate on the different.

aspects of fish production.

Fish fauna of the high hill streams has yet to be investigated. The

some of these fish can be studied and these can be considered forbiology of

cultivation especially in some selected cold water bodies of the hills. The

establishment of a pituitary bank can boost the production of fingerlings and

hence promote fish production. Experiments to protect fingerlings from preda­

tors have to be conducted.

Increasing the depth of existing fish ponds with adequate water supply

can result in more fish production from the same area of land. Useful aquatic

plants like Makhana (Euryale ferox Salisb) and Azolla can be incorporated in

fish production in selected localities having suitable fish culture practices.

Recycling of wastes to produce fish, meat, egg, milk and crops through inte­

grated plant animal farming can be linked to different farming systems. Frog

legs can be processed and exported to earn foreign exchange. Development of

commercial fish feeds by using natural products like farm wastes can be consi­

dered. The technical know-how and skills of traditional fishermen can be

adopted to improve different fish culture practices in Nepal. All these

efforts will contribute towards an increased fish production that in turn

will improve the nutritional status and economy of the Nepalese people.

30

Acknowledgements

I wish to express my cheerful appreciation to Dr. Weslie Combs, MUCIA

Animal Science Advisor at IAAS for initiating this seminar as part of a series

of Animal Science Staff/Advisor seminars. My heart felt thanks are due to

Dr. Garland P. Wood MUCIA Chief of Party at IAAS for going through the type­

script of this seminar paper and giving important suggestions to make it more

meaningful. Dr. Wood also was helpful in providing logistic support. The

help offered by Mr. M.H. Khan Assistant Lecturer in Botany at IAAS is cheerfully

acknowledged.

1. Anonymous 1971. FAO in Asia, FAO booklet 8/10 pp.

2. Augusthy K.T. 1979. Fish Farming in Nepal, Published by Augusthy, K.T.,

Lecturer, Fisheries, Institute of Agriculture and Animal Science (IAAS)

Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal.

3. Augusthy K.T. 1981. Fish Culture: Protection of Fingerlings Against

Predators, IAAS Journal (Journal of the Institute of Agriculture and

Animal Science, Rampur, Chitwan, Nepal), Volume 2; No. 2; pp. 67-70.

4. Augusthy K.T. (1980-82), Personal Observations.

5. Augusthy K.T. 1982, Personal Communication.

6. 'Balaju Yantra Sala', Balaju, Kathmandu, Booklet on Hydraulic rams.

7. Bohura and Singh 1978. Conservation of Crocodiles in India, Indian

Forester.

8. Cook, C.D. 1974, Water Plants of the World,

Dr. W. Junk b.v., Publisheres, The Hague, p. 336.

31

9. Dehadrai P.V. 1976, Booklet on 'All India Co-ordinated Research Project

on air breathing fish culture', Central Inland Fisheries Research

Institute, Barrackpore, India.

10. Hickling C.F. 1971, Fish Culture, Fabe- and Faber, London.

11. Jose A Euesbia, B.I. Rabino and E.C. Eusbio, 1976, Recycling systems in

integrated plant and animal farming Technical Bulletin Vol. 1; No. 1.

12. Majupuria, Trilok Chandra 1981-82, Wild is Beautiful, Published by

S. Devi, Lalitpur Colony, Lashkar (Gwalior), M.P., India,

13. Masuda Kiyoshi 1979. Study on the Growth Rate of Asla Fishes,

Proceedings of the Fourth National Fisheries Seminar, pp. 34-45.

14. Maskey Tritha M. and Mishra Hemanta R. (1981-82), 'Conservation of Gharial

(Gavialis gangeticus) in Nepal: pp. 185-196, Wild is Beautiful by T.C.

Majupuria as given under Ref. No. 12).

15. Rajkarnikar Tulsiman, 1981. Study of the fish fauna of Taudah Lake

together with ecological notes. Final Report on Research Project work

published by Tribhuvav Universit, Rector's Office Research Division,

Kiritipur, Nepal.

16. Shrestha, Tej Kumar (1981-82). 'Distribution of Amphibians in Nepal'

p. 141-46, Wild is Beautiful by T.C. Majupuria as given under Ref. No. 12).

17. Shrestha Kalidas, Fish Farmer, Sarda Nagar Panchayat, Chitwan, Nepal

(1982), Personal Communication.

18. Silpachai Damrong UNICEF Bangladesh 1980, Fish Culture in Nepal, Report

on Travel to Nepal, published by UNICEF, Kathaandu Nepal.

19. Uprety D.R. and Majupuria T.U. (1981-82), 'Mammals' p. 348, Wild is

Beautiful by T.C. Majupuria as given under Ref. No. 12.

32

20. Wealth of India Raw Materials Vol. III D-E (1952), Council of Scientific

and Industrial Research, NewDelhi, p. 232.

21. Woynarovich Elek (1975), Elementary Guide to fish culture in Nepal, Rome,

Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations pp. 59-60.

22. Yadav U.K. (1981-82), 'Invertebrates', p. 28, Wild is Beautiful by T.C.

Majupuria as given under Ref. No. 12.